Paid Surveys Frequently Asked Questions

How do paid surveys work?
Before the internet, marketing research companies used to pay people by the hour to bother you on the telephone or in a mall for consumer opinion research. Nowdays these companies can reach a lot of people (such as you) directly online. Since they don't have to pay someone to stand in a mall anymore, it is very easy and cost effective to give you $3, $5 or even more cash to take a survey. If you take a lot of surveys, it can add up to some pretty nice money. Many people do just that for extra legitimate work at home income.

Are Online Paid Surveys Scams?
Absolutely not. We connect you with real opportunies online to be paid for taking surveys. There have been scammers charging money for outdated lists of paid surveys or making promises of huge riches. Inyouropinion.org does not charge a fee for our services. Membership is not required at inyouropinion.org either. Paid surveys will not make you rich. They are not free money. Like anything else legitimate, paid online surveys take your time to make money. If someone promises you something for nothing, move on.

Where does the money come from?
Manufacturers of autos, household products, foods, etc. want to maximize their advertising dollars so they pay marketing research companies millions of dollars to do market research for them. These research companies reimburse you for your time.

Whats in it for them?
Lots of money. Knowing what people like and don't like, or buy and don't buy is absolutely crucial to a new product's success. This information is priceless. Spending a few million on research is a very good investment.

Do they sell my personal information?
No. They use the responses they get from you and other online survey takers to assemble reports about general consumer preferences (for example, 78% of men prefer widget X). Your personal information is not shared, sold or compromised.

How much can I make?
That depends on how fast and how organized you are. Amounts per survey vary widely. There is no guarantee of any specific amount.

Is this a job?
No - you are not an employee. There have been cases of very industious people taking so many surveys that they actually earned enough to live on but these are extreme examples. Look at it as an entertaining way to make some extra spending cash or get some nice prizes or free products in your spare time.

Can I use multiple identities and make two or three times as much?
No. This practice is against terms of service and defeats the effectiveness of the research.

How much does it cost me?
Nothing. If a company wants to charge you money, move on. You are the only one who should be paid. Online surveys require no investment but your time. If they want to charge you, that is your clue that it is probably a scam.

How and when do I get paid and who pays me?
Again this varies. Some companies pay within 3-6 weeks by check for online paid surveys. Cash Instant PayPal is offered by some. You are paid directly by the market research companies that we list here - not inyouropinion.org. Each one has its own payment policy and schedule. Please refer to their terms and conditions.

What about the sweepstakes and prizes? I just want CASH. 
The more surveys you take with a company, the more likely they are to offer you substantial cash offers. Focus groups can pay $50 or even as much as $250 for a few hours worth of opinion, but these are only offered to those people who have already taken several smaller surveys. That is why you should sign up for as many as you can and when you are notified of a new survey, act quickly. That first survey gets you in the door. Once you are identified as a reliable panelist, the better offers will come your way.

Here are the top paying free marketing research panel programs today.

Sign up with each one of them for the very best opportunities...